Snow plow



c. PAYNE Oct. 31.1967

SNOW PLOW 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27. 1965 /NVE To v CLYDEEPAY/KIE R ATTORNEYv United States Patent Olce 3,349,507 SNOW PLOW Clyde E. Payne, 28210 Hawberry Road, Farmington, Mich. 48024 Filed Jan. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 428,419 4 Claims. (Cl. 37--44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A snow plow quickly and easily attachable to `and removable from a motor vehicle having a self-stabilizing chevron-shaped plow equipped with skids for riding on a surface under snow and including pusher bars pivotally securable to the vehicle bumper and to the plow and also including a triangulated brace assembly positioned between the plow and the pusher bars preventing sidewise deflection of the plow under pushing and plowing conditions.

This invention relates to a novel snow plow which is easily attached, detached, and operated and which is particularly suitable for use with automobiles.

While snow plows have been employed heretofore to facilitate the removal of snow from ground surfaces, the several devices of the prior art have not proven entirely satisfactory or commercially feasible in that they are usually extremely heavy, depend on the vehicle for stabilization, and employ heavy raising and lowering means to adjust the plow relative to the vehicle and relative to the ground. All in all, such devices in the prior art are not suitable for use with an automobile as they are complicated in design and construction, expensive to manufacture, require permanent heavy attachment to a vehicle, and usually require power lifting and lowering means which are not economically -operable by the usual automobile owner for his personal use.

With the foregoing in view, the primary object of the invention is to provide a snow plow which is simple in design and construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to attach, easy to detach, `and easy to operate without requiring heavy attachment means and complicated power raising and lowering means so that an automobile owner may economically provide himself with a snow plow which is suitable for his personal use on his personal automobile.

An object of the invention is to provide a snow plow having a chevron or arrow-head shape including a forward central point and paired blades trailing sidewardly rearwardly from the forward central point so that each blade is angularly disposed to the other and supports the other blade in an upright plowing condition when their bottom edges are resting on a surface.

An object of the invention is to provide a self-stabilizing blade when in contact wth the ground so that the stabilization of the blade relative to the ground is neither dependent on the pushing vehicle nor on the inter-connecting structure between the plow and the vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide pivotally mounted pusher bars attached to the plow and attachable to the vehicle so that the plow and vehicle may move relative to one another upwardly and downwardly so that the plow may follow the ground surface contour in its location without being influenced by the relative position of the pushing vehicle and its ground surface location.

An object of the invention is to provide a sidewise stabilizing brace structure between the pusher bars and the plow so that the plow and pusher bars are stabilized relative to sidewise movement insuring that the plow proceeds in a forward direction in traveling and also insures against deflection of the plow from its forward' 3,349,557 Patented Oct. 31, 1967 course by snow or other obstacles engaging the angular blades and tending t-o cam the plow sidewardly.

An object of the invention is to provide a triangulating brace including a strut leading from the central forward point of the plow sidewardly and rearwardly to the rearward end of one pusher bar, a second strut leading from the central forward point of the plow sidewardly and rearwardly to the rearward end of the other pusher bar, and a cross or transverse strut leading between the rearward ends of the pusher bars.

An object of the invention is to provide paired bumper plates having attaching lugs easily mountable and demountable on a bumper for pivotally connecting the rearward end of the pusher bars.

An object of the in vention is to provide a bumper plate which is deformable by the user to fit the contour or prole of the bumper on the users car.

An object of the invention is to provide a hook on the bottom end of the bumper plate to engage the bottom flange on the bumper of the users car.

An object of the invention is to provide attaching means for the bumper plates and in particular to provide strap receiving slots in the bumper plates and metal straps threaded through the slots of the plates with the straps having hooks for engaging the ilanges of the bumper with the straps being bendable over the plates to secure the plates in a mounted condition.

An object of the invention is to provide clips on the metal straps securing the bumper plate so that the straps may be secured in a tensioned condition holding the bumper plate against the bumper.

An object of the invention is to provide a hand loop on at least one end of the bumper strap so that the user may exert a strong pulling force on the strap in bending it over the bumper plate in a securing position.

An object of the invention is to provide narrow runners at the bottom edge of the plow blades having a bottom surface substantially in the plane of the bottom edge of the blade to support the blade scrapping edge on a limited glide surface so that the blade scraping edge will not engage ground projections or dense abutments but so that the narrow runners lift the plow over abutments so that the narrow runners cut through loose material such as snow so as not to raise the blade under plowing conditions thereby permitting the blade to glide closely adjacent the ground surface in plowing snow and thereby preventing the blade from digging into dense surfaces or abutting projections such as earth or pavement.

An object of the invention is to provide visible guides on the sides of the plow removably held in sockets on the plow.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of the novel sn-ow plow device embodying the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a top front perspective view of the novel snow plow device, pushing means, and vehicle attaching means and showing the front portion of a vehicle in dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 1 taken adjacent one pusher bar showing the pivotal connection of the pusher bar to the plow and the strut connections between thae plow forward point and the pusher bar rear end portion.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the device seen in FIG. l illustrating a vehicle bumper in crosssection and showing the bumper plate, attaching straps, and the pivotal connection between the bumper plate and the pusher bar rear end; and

FIG. 4 is an expanded face elevational view of the the strap raised to provide a clear view.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the snow plow assembly disclosed therein to illustrate the invention comprises snow plow assembly attachable to a bumper 11 of a Vehicle 12 by pivotally interconnected push bars 14 and 15 with the pusher bars 14 and 15 and snow plow assembly 10 being stabilized sidewardly by the triangular brace assembly 16.

More particularly the snow plow assembly 10 includes a self-stabilizing chevron shaped plow having paired angular blades 22 and 23 meeting centrally in a forward point 21. Each blade 22 and 23 trails the forward point 21 rearwardly and sidewise outwardly to trailing outer ends 24 and 25 respectively. Each blade has a bottom ground surface contacting scraper edge 26 and 27, an inwardly-upwardly curving front plow face 28 and 29, and an opposite rear face 30 and 31 respectively. The plow 20 is so integrated that the blades 22 and 23 are angled relative to one another so that each blade supports the other in an upright plowing position when the ground contacting scraper edges 26 and 27 rest on the ground or a supporting surface.

A narrow central runner 30, narrow side runners 32 and 33, and narrow intermediate runners 34 and 35 are welded to the blade a their bottom edges 26 and 27 respectively. These runners assist the blade in gliding over dense abutments with close scraping action and in use with snow, their narrow dimensions do not cause the blade to rise as the runners cut through the snow. Whereas, in the event of ice or other hard abutting material, the bearing surface of the narrow runners 30-35 are sufcent to raise the plow 20 to prevent the direct engagement of the scraper edges 26 and 27 with the abutment.

Paired lugs 38 and 39 are welded to the back surfaces 30 and 31 of the blades respectively at a point closely adjacent the scraper edges 26 and 27. The lugs 38 and 39 are apertured for receiving a bolt 40 therebetween. The pusher bars 14 and 15 have front ends which are apertured. The bolts 40 lie in the apertures of the pusher bars 14 and 15 respectively connecting the pusher bars to the lugs 38 and 39. 1t will be noted that the lugs 38 and 39 have downwardly extending portions constituting the intermediate runners 34 and 35.

Paired plates 42 and 43 are fastened to the vehicle bumper 11. The plates 42 and 43 are alike and each is equipped with paired lugs 44 and 45 having axially aligned apertures. The pusher bars 14 and 15 also have apertures at their rear ends. A bolt 46 extends through the apertures of the lugs 44 and 45 and the aperture in the rear end of the pusher bars 14 and 15. The plates 42 and 43 are preferably made with a reversely curved extending end constituting a bottom hook for engaging the bottom flange of a bumper on the vehicle.

The plates 42 and 43, while strong, are bendable to the shape or profile of the bumper in the body of the plates outside the location of the lugs 44 and 45. This is readily accomplished with a hammer or bending tools.

Each of the plates 42 or 43 has a strap receiving slot 47 at its top end and may have a like strap receiving slot at its bottom end. Each plate may be also equipped with a bolt receiving aperture 49 for bolting the plate to a vehicle bumper 11 if desired. A bottom metal strap may be folded through the bottom slot of the plate 42 and be bent in a reversely bent hooked end for gripping a bottom ange 52 of the bumper 11. This is advantageous when the plates are not provided with hooked bottom ends. A top strap 53 has a hooked end 54 engaging a top flange 55 of the bumper 11. The top strap 53 leads through the top slot 47 of the plate 42 and is reversely folded back on itself as illustrated. A hand ring 56 is provided in the top strap 53 so that the user may tension the strap prior to bending it to the position indicated. A clip 57 is then bent around the reversely folded portions of the strap 53 holding the strap in the tensioned condition thereby ixedly securing the plate 42 to the bumper 11.

It has been found that with medium gage metal strap material that the attaching straps can be readily formed and attached to the vehicle bumper regardless of the vehicle bumper shape as the straps provide means for attaching the plate which are adjustable and adaptable to the various shapes of bumpers on the various makes of cars. 1t is also within the purview of the invention to bend the plate 42 and 43 if desired so that the plate may conform to the shape of the bumper 11 to the degree desired.

The triangulated brace assembly 16 includes a double apertured tab 60 welded to the back surfaces 30 and 31 of the plow blades at the central point 21 of the plow. A double apertured tab 62 is also welded to the pusher bar 14 adjacent the bumper plate 42 and a double apertured plate 63 is welded to the pusher bar 15 adjacent the bumper plate 43. A strut 64 is positioned between the front tab 60 and the rear side tab 62 on the pusher bar 14.

A strut 65 is positioned between the front tab 60 and the rear tab 63 on the pusher bar 15. A cross strut 66 is positioned between the rear tabs 62 and 63 respectively on the rear portions of the pusher bars 14 and 15. The struts 64, 65, and 66 are provided with end portions bent normal to the main portion of the strut so that the ends t in the apertures of the plate 60, 62, and 63.

The struts 64, 65, and 66 are shown with length adjusting means which include a sleeve 67 welded to one portion of the struts 64-66. A set screw 68 leads through the sleeve 67 for securing the adjusted position of the other portion of the strut in the sleeve 67. Guide posts 70 and 71 are removably supported in sockets welded to the outer ends 24 and 25 of the plow 20 respectively so that the driver of the car may know the exact position of the side extremities of the plow in plowing.

In the initial attachment of the plow assembly to the vehicle, the bumper plates 42 and 43 may be first attached to the vehicle bumper 11. In this regard when using a bottom strap, the user cuts the bottom strap to the right desired length and reveresly bends the ends into a hook a grip the bottom flange 52 of the bumper. When using a bumper plate having a hook at the bottom end, the user engages the bumper plate hook with the bottom ange of the bumper. In either case, it is advantageous to bend or shape the bumper plate to lie closely adjacent and substantially conform to the profile of the bumper. After D these operations the user then forms the reversely bent end 54 in the top strap 53 and engages it with the top flange 55 of the bumper. The user then pulls upwardly on the top strap hand ring 56 tensioning the plate 42 between the flanges 52 and 55 of the bumper 11. He then reversely bends the top strap 53 on itself as shown in FIG. 3 and bends the clip 57 in position thereby securing the bumper plates 42 and 43.

The user then places the rearward ends of the pusher bars 14 and 15 between the lug 44 and 45 of the bumper plates and inserts the bolts or pins 46 in the apertures of the lugs and in the transverse apertures at the rear ends of the pusher bars 14 and 15. The user then steps to the front of the plow and adjusts the plow with the central point 21 of the plow centrally located relative to the center line of the vehicle 12. The user then tightens the set screws 68 in the sleeves 67 securing the struts 64, 65, and 66. This secures the -adjusted relationship of the pusher bars 14 and 15 in their angular relationship between the plow and the bumper 11. The device is now ready for use.

In operation, the user moves the vehicle 12 forward slowly over the surface to be plowed. The point 21 of the plow 20 separates the snow being plo-wed and moves it sidewise outwardly as the blades 22 and 23 incline rearwardly outwardly. Forward advancement of the vehicle and plow moves the plow 20 through the snow camming the snow sidewise outwardly as the plow passes through the snow.

The plow 20 stabilizes itself in gliding relative to the ground surface as the pusher rods 14 and 15 are pivotally connected to the plow blades 22 and 23 adjacent the ground and do not force the plow 20 to take any particular height position or location, but rather press the plow toward the ground. The triangular brace assembly struts 64, `65, and 66 hold the plow and pusher bars 14 and 15 in a forward position, relative to the vehicle and permit elevational movement of the Vehicle and plow in upward and downward directions while preventing sidewise delecting movement between the plow 20 and the vehicle 12.

The narrow runners 30-35 support the plow 20 elevationally in proper scraping relationship relative to projecting abutments in ground surface while cutting through snow so that the snow does not cause the plow to raise thereby providing a close scraping action. The pivotal mounting of the pusher vbars 14 and 15 at the plow 20 and at the vehicle 12 allows the plow 20 to glide over the ground surface in its self-stabilized condition.

The novel plow, pusher bar, pivotal mounting, bumper attachment, and triangular stabilizing brace provides an inexpensive, light, and serviceable plow for use on driveways, lanes, gas stations, etc., with an automobile as the power source.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, detail, and arrangement of the various elements of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An easily attached, detached, and operated snow plow assembly particularly suitable for use with automobiles comprising:

a self-stabilizing chevron-shaped plow having paired blades lying angularly relative to one another meeting centrally in a forward point;

each said blade trailing rearwardly and sidewise out- Wardly from said forward point to trailing outer ends;

each said blade having a bottom ground surface contacting scraper edge restable on a surface;

each one of said blades, because of its angular disposition relative to the other said blade, supporting the other said blade in an upright plowing position;

each said blade having an inwardly upwardly curving front plow face and a rear face,

paired lugsrwelded on each said blade rear face intermediate the ends of each said -blade adjacent the bottom scraping edge of said plow;

paired pusher bars having a forward end pivotally connected to said plow lugs on each said blade and a rearward end `for attachment to an automobile,

bumper lugs attachable to an automobile bumper at the rearward end of each said pusher bar;

said pusher bars rearward ends being pivotally connected to said bumper lugs;

said pusher bars being pivotally connected at each end between said plow and an automobile permitting up and down relative movement between said plow and an automobile in traveling a ground surface, and

sidewise stabilizing means triangulated between said pusher bar rearward ends and said plow forward point preventing sidewise movement of said plow relative to a pushing automobile including,

a rst strut leading from said plow point to one said pusher bar rearward end,

a second strut leading from said plow point to said other pusher bar rearward end, and

a third strut lying between said rearward ends of said pusher bars;

said struts `co-aeting with one another so as to compose three sides of a triangular brace securing said pusher bars and said plow in a sidewise stable condition relative to each other and a pushing automobile.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, an easily mounted and dismounted bumper lug support assembly for each said pusher bar comprising:

a plate having opposite top and bottom ends,

said bumper lugs being welded to said plate intermediate said ends of said plate; and

a hooked portion of said plate bottom edge for engaging the bottom flange of a bumper.

3. In a device as set forth in claim 2, said bottom hooked portion on said plate including a strap receiving slot adjacent said bottom end,

a metal lbottom strap looped through said bottom end slot terminating in a reversely bent hook portion for engaging the bottom flange on a bumper;

said plate having another strap receiving aperture adjacent its top end; and

a metal top strap looped through said top end slot terminating in a reversely bent hook portion for engaging the top flange on a bumper.

4. In a device as set forth in claim 3, at least one said strap leading through one said strap slot of said plate and having a portion at one end of said strap for engaging a bumper flange and a hand loop at the other end of said strap;

Said strap being tightened to secure said plate by the user pulling said strap through said plate slot using said hand loop and reversely bending said strap at said plate, and

a clip in the reversely bent portion of said strap securing said strap -in its bent and tensioned condition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,365,153 1/1921 Clark 37-44 2,191,323 2/1940 Richter 37-42 2,333,361 11/ 1943 Churchill 37-44 3,098,309 7/1963 Koch 37-42 ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner. R. L. HOLLISTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN EASILY ATTACHED, DETACHED, AND OPERATED SNOW PLOW ASSEMBLY PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR USE WITH AUTOMOBILES COMPRISING: A SELF-STABILIZING CHEVRON-SHAPED PLOW HAVING PAIRED BLADES LYING ANGULARLY RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER MEETING CENTRALLY IN A FORWARD POINT; EACH SAID BLADE TRAILING REARWARDLY AND SIDEWISE OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FORWARD POINT TO TRAILING OUTER ENDS; EACH SAID BLADE HAVING A BOTTOM GROUND SURFACE CONTACTING SCRAPER EDGE RESTABLE ON A SURFACE; EACH ONE OF SAID BLADES, BECAUSE OF ITS ANGULAR DISPOSITION RELATIVE TO THE OTHER SAID BLADE, SUPPORTING THE OTHER SAID BLADE IN AN UPRIGHT PLOWING POSITION; EACH SAID BLADE HAVING AN INWARDLY UPWARDLY CURVING FRONT PLOW FACE AND A REAR FACE, PAIRED LUGS WELDED ON EACH SAID BLADE REAR FACE INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF EACH SAID BLADE ADJACENT THE BOTTOM SCRAPING EDGE OF SAID PLOW; PAIRED PUSHER BARS HAVING A FORWARD END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID PLOW LUGS ON EACH SAID BLADE AND A REARWARD END FOR ATTACHMENT TO AN AUTOMOBILE, BUMPER LUGS ATTACHABLE TO AN AUTOMOBILE BUMPER AT THE REARWARD END OF EACH SAID PUSHER BAR; SAID PUSHER BARS REARWARD ENDS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BUMPER LUGS; SAID PUSHER BARS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT EACH END BETWEEN SAID PLOW AND AN AUTOMOBILE PERMITTING UP AND DOWN RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID PLOW AND AN AUTOMOBILE IN TRAVELING A GROUND SURFACE, AND SIDEWISE STABILIZING MEANS TRIANGULATED BETWEEN SAID PUSHER BAR REARWARD ENDS AND SAID PLOW FORWARD POINT PREVENTING SIDEWISE MOVEMENT OF SAID PLOW RELATIVE TO A PUSHING AUTOMOBILE INCLUDING, A FIRST STRUT LEADING FROM SAID PLOW POINT TO ONE SAID PUSHER BAR REARWARD END, A SECOND STRUT LEADING FROM SAID PLOW POINT TO SAID OTHER PUSHER BAR REARWARD END, AND A THIRD STRUT LYING BETWEEN SAID REARWARD ENDS OF SAID PUSHER BARS; SAID STRUTS CO-ACTING WITH ONE ANOTHER SO AS TO COMPOSE THREE SIDES OF A TRIANGULAR BRACE SECURING SAID PUSHER BARS AND SAID PLOW IN A SIDEWISE STABLE CONDITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND A PUSHING AUTOMOBILE. 